City gives 3,000 acres of Government Canyon to state

The aim was to give Camp Bullis more of a regulatory buffer

With one move Thursday, the City Council transferred ownership of land near Government Canyon to the state and attempted to provide Camp Bullis with breathing room from federal endangered-species restrictions.

The ordinance fulfilled a letter of intent signed in January that called for the city to transfer 3,000 acres of land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, adjacent to Government Canyon State Natural Area on the far Northwest Side, to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The deal, which allows the city to retain an aquifer-protection easement over the property, will result in greater public access to the area and reduced costs for the city, according to Parks and Recreation Director Xavier Urrutia.

The transfer also indirectly reduces the pressure on Camp Bullis to meet endangered-species restrictions connected to the presence of the golden-cheeked warbler on the Army medic training grounds.

Army officials have complained that encroaching development has threatened Camp Bullis' mission and caused the migration of more warblers onto the military camp.

In August, the council approved a rule requiring developers hoping to build near Camp Bullis to file sworn statements that they've complied with the Endangered Species Act.

As a result of the city's agreement with the state's Parks and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued mitigation credits to San Antonio for the property.

On Thursday, the council voted to use that credit for Camp Bullis, with the goal of protecting the camp's training mission.

"In lieu of having the habitat at Camp Bullis, we're saying, 'Here's 3,000 acres that have habitat, and so we're going to preserve this,'" Urrutia said. "Therefore it allows Camp Bullis to continue with their mission on their property. It's just basically swapping out."

Council members, who unanimously approved the ordinance in front of an enthused contingent from Parks and Wildlife, described the deal as a win-win partnership between the city, the state, and the military.

Phil Cortez called it "an example of the determination of this mayor and council to preserve Camp Bullis," while Reed Williams said: "It protects our habitat, our water supply, and our military mission, all in one."